MANAGING HEALTH AND SAFETY ON SITE AMID COVID-19

HEALTH secretary Matt Hancock has said that he is not opposed to construction sites reopening, as long as staff abide by social distancing guidelines for health and safety amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

Several companies including housebuilders Taylor Wimpey and Persimmon have already announced plans to ask staff back to work or re-open sites at limited capacity. This is a move also welcomed by the housing secretary, Robert Jenrick, who encouraged other housebuilders to follow suit.

National property, construction and infrastructure consultancy Pick Everard has shared its advice for keeping staff safe when returning to construction sites during the Coronavirus pandemic.

James Hymers, Associate at Pick Everard, said: “Industry leaders are coming together to help companies find safe and practicable ways of working during this difficult period.

“The Construction Leadership Council (CLC) has created a set of site operating procedures to assist with implementing a plan and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has stated they will take enforcement action where employers are not taking reasonable steps to address social distancing.

“The public may still believe only key workers and essential work should be happening and contractors, so clients should be prepared for potential comments when returning to work. So long as the CLC guidance, social distancing and/or clear measures that prevent transmission are in place this should satisfy an enforcing authority responding to such public queries.

Site Operating Procedures

“The industry must take responsibility for ensuring site workers are kept safe and that health and safety arrangements on their sites remain suitable and sufficient. As well as managing the risk of transmission on site, employers must consider the commute to and from the workplace in line with current government advice. Employers should also consider protocol should someone fall ill on site – and what steps will be taken to prevent transmission both at work and before they return home to self-isolation.

“Where work cannot take place from home, social distancing guidelines should be adhered to. If this is not possible given the nature of a particular task, employers should ‘consider’ whether the works are necessary and if they are, implement measures to prevent transmission of the virus.

What if a site has to close?

“In addition to the site operating procedures, the CLC has produced guidance for where a construction site requires mothballing. While government guidance encourages sites to remain operational, this may not be possible due to issues with supply chain, workers being unwell or constraints to social distancing guidance amongst other issues.

“This may mean a site must close temporarily. In this instance, the Principal Contractor would still have a duty of care over the site, its visitors and anyone who might enter it illegally – as such, the site must be left clear and safe before it is closed. This may involve additional security measures being put in place, finishing essential works or implementing temporary safety measures to prevent injury to anyone who may trespass while it is not operational.

Taking a collaborative approach

“It is inevitable that there may be programme and cost implications associated with the measures that must be put in place to ensure that social distancing guidelines are adhered to – it may be necessary to defer certain aspects of a build until a full workforce can return or to temporarily stop while appropriate measures are implemented.

“A collaborative approach among the project team is therefore key. In planning effectively for changes to working practices and potential delays, recovery following the COVID-19 crisis can be accelerated.”

For more information on how our in-house experts can help you please visit https://www.pickeverard.co.uk/services/ or contact James Hymers, Associate, Health & Safety Consultancy on 0345 045 0050 or jameshymers@pickeverard.co.uk